HRC55 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children - EU Statement

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HRC55 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children - EU Statement

13.03.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

55^th Session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children

13 March 2024

EU statement

Madam Special Representative,

The European Union would like to thank you for your report and reiterate our full support for your mandate.

We share your concern that the world is currently not on track to end all forms of violence against children by 2030.

As evidenced by the EU's voluntary review, we are committed to combatting violence against children in all its forms, including violence against children on the move. This can often be linked to the context of trafficking in human beings, with women and children particularly at risk of trafficking in conflict situations. The EU fights human trafficking both within the EU and around the world, and remains committed to promoting a human rights-based, victim-centered and gender- and age-responsive approach.

Your report mentions the EU's leading role in the development of legislation to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse online. In this vein, we strongly agree that the Global Digital Compact should have human rights at its core, and should strive to ensure that new technologies are tools for equality, non-discrimination and inclusion, while protecting children from technology-enabled harm.

Dr. M'jid,

Could you identify measures to ensure that the digital environment acts as a tool for the empowerment of children, rather than a source of potential harm?

Thank you.